The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Sunday, March 19 announced demonstrations in Nairobi to counter Azimio’s mass action.
In a letter dated March 17, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala notified the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome of the impending peaceful picketing.
Malala explained that he would lead a team of youth to the residences of Azimio’s top leadership and requested police security.
A photo collage of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala (Left) and Azimio La Umoja Leader Raila Odinga (Right).
Kenyans.co.ke “We are expecting at least 20,000 people in tomorrow’s picketing on Karen, Kitisuru, and Lower Kabete roads leading to the following homesteads; Raila Odinga, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa.
” It is in this regard, we write to request security personnel in view of hustlers that will be demonstrating against divisive politics, destruction of property, and probable loss of lives,” the statement read in part.
He asked IG Koome to treat the matter urgently, explaining that it was in light of Azimio’s planned mass demonstrations scheduled for March 20.
On May 18, Malala, while in a meeting with delegates in Machakos County declared that he would lead a procession of demonstrating youths to Azimio party leader Raila Odinga’s residence in Karen.
However, Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify that UDA’s letter was received by the Koome or the county police leadership.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei confirmed that he had only received two notices of planned public demonstrations; one from Azimio and the other from the Nairobi Business Community.
Bungei rendered both requests invalid and explained that none of them had adhered to the procedures provided in the Public Order Act.
His claims were immediately dismissed by the former Prime Minister, who insisted that he did his due diligence and expected the police officers to provide security for his supporters.
Odinga announced that the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was the meeting point from where he would officially launch the mass action protests.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaking at a rally in Kiambu County on March 17, 2023.
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Raila Odinga
